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The incident occurred on Sunday, March 30, and marks the first firearm intercepted at the airport this year, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
TSA officers detected the 9mm handgun, which was packed with a magazine containing 10 bullets, during routine screening. The Westchester County Police Department was immediately contacted and responded quickly to confiscate the weapon and arrest the passenger, a Stamford resident whose name was not made public.
The discovery temporarily delayed other travelers in the security lane while the situation was resolved.
"When someone shows up with a gun at our checkpoint, it inconveniences other travelers who are waiting to be screened," said John Essig, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Westchester County Airport.
"The traveler was arrested, and he’ll now face a stiff financial civil penalty, so he’s paying the price for his mistake. Hopefully this will serve as a reminder to other gun owners not to make this same mistake," Essig added.
TSA reminded passengers that firearms are never permitted in carry-on bags, even for those with concealed carry permits. Civil penalties can reach up to $15,000.
Passengers may still travel with firearms, but only if they are unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline, and transported as checked baggage.
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